However, slathering sunscreen on your vulva will not prevent vulvar or vaginal cancer.
Sun exposure causes only a subset of melanomas. Sun protection, from avoiding rays to wearing sunscreen, is an effective prophylactic measure for these people. Other melanomas, on the other hand, are inherited and can appear almost anywhere on your body.
While vulvar and vaginal malignancies are uncommon (they account for about 7% of all gynecological cancers), they are equally difficult to diagnose.
Types of Vulvar Cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent type, caused by alterations in the skin cells lining the vagina and vulva. It is more common in postmenopausal women in their 70s and 80s. However, some kinds are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) and are more common in younger women.
Smoking, a compromised immune system, lichen sclerosis, and precancerous diseases are also risk factors. Lichen sclerosis is a skin ailment that causes itchy, discolored patches of skin in the vaginal and anal regions.
Melanoma is the type of skin cancer that we are all afraid of. It all starts with melanocytes or pigmented cells. While [healthcare practitioners] see vulvar melanomas in elderly women, they are also detected in younger people.
Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer
Many people with vulvar cancer will notice signs and symptoms such as persistent itching, burning, or bleeding on the vulva, changes in the skin color of the vulva, skin changes in the vulva such as a rash or warts, persistent sores, lumps, or ulcers on the vulva, and pain in your pelvis, especially when you urinate or have sex.
Melanomas might look like black or brown spots on your vulvar skin, but they can also be the same color as your vulvar skin.
Squamous cell carcinomas might manifest as a tumor, lesions, rash, or warts. Pigment changes in the vulva and vagina are a regular occurrence. Many of these changes are unavoidable and unproblematic.
However, many people may not be looking for pigment changes on their vulvas, and they may not be able to tell the difference between typical and pathological alterations.
Risk Factors for Vulvar Cancer
According to specialists, there is no method to predict if you may develop vaginal or vulvar cancer. Vulvar cancer can occur in people who are not at high risk.
Although various risk factors enhance the likelihood of acquiring vulvar cancer, most people at risk do not develop the disease. These vulvar carcinoma risk factors include:
- HPV infection that persists
- Cervical cancer or cervical pre-cancer, which are cell abnormalities that can progress to cancer if not treated properly
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects your immune system.
- Smoking
- Itching or burning in the vulvar area regularly
If You Have Signs of Vulvar Cancer, See Your OB-GYN
Consult your doctor if you notice any apparent skin changes in the vaginal and vulvar areas, as well as any discomfort or unusual symptoms ranging from irritation to itching.
Your gynecologist sees this portion of your body all day and may be able to tell if any symptoms are serious or just a normal change. While it may appear frightening, this is a simple and painless location to biopsy. If a person has vulvar melanoma, they should see a gynecologist, an oncologist, and not a dermatologist.
Because melanoma is considerably more frequent in other parts of the body, it's recommended to visit a group of people who treat melanoma on a regular basis. Early detection is the most effective form of prevention. The bottom line is that you must keep an eye on this situation. If you see anything unusual or strange, consult a gynecologist.
I am Amelia Grant, a journalist, and blogger. I think that information is a great force that is able to change people’s lives for the better. That is why I feel a strong intention to share useful and important things about health self-care, wellness and other advice that may be helpful for people. Being an enthusiast of a healthy lifestyle that keeps improving my life, I wish the same for everyone.
Our attention to ourselves, to our daily routine and habits, is very important. Things that may seem insignificant, are pieces of a big puzzle called life. I want to encourage people to be more attentive to their well-being, improve every little item of it and become healthier, happier, and stronger. All of us deserve that. And I really hope that my work helps to make the world better.